Speaker: Richard Pollack , Instructor in the Laboratory of Public Health Entomology at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Abstract:
Bed bugs increasingly burden residents, staff, managers and owners of apartment buildings, shelters, dormitories, hotels and homes. Although each person may have preconceived ideas as to what he/she can or should do to treat and prevent such infestations, these notions frequently conflict with their legal obligations, tenets of IPM and good sense. Efforts to manage such infestations are unjustified when bugs are not positively identified. Cooperation between residents and owners is critical to ensure effective treatment, and to discourage the spread and reintroduction of bed bugs. This session will review the biology, ecology and significance of bed bugs, and describe the opportunities and challenges that must be considered to more effectively manage their populations.
Biography:
Richard J. Pollack is an instructor in the Laboratory of Public Health Entomology at the Harvard School of Public Health. He provides guidance to international, federal, state and local officials on issues relevant to the biology, epidemiology and management of diverse arthropods of medical and veterinary importance and the pathogens they transmit. He earned a B.S. in Entomology from Cornell University, a M.Sc. in Medical Parasitology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Parasitology from the University of Pennsylvania.